How to make sure your audience can find you
Listeners access podcasts via directories like Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher and Spotify. And since growing your audience is high on the list of priorities as a podcaster, you want to make sure your show is available wherever potential listeners might be.
So, what podcast directories should you submit your show to so it’s available to as many people as possible?
Why do you need to submit your podcast to podcast apps?
So they know your show exists!
When you publish your first episode you need to let the podcast directories know that your show is out because they won’t find it themselves.
This is a simple process that involves copying and pasting the RSS feed from inside your podcast host to the submissions portal of each of the directories.
It’s an essential step if you want your show to be in all the places people might want to listen.
Do you have to submit to all the directories?
You don’t need to submit your show to every directory that was ever created.
In fact, a lot of them will automatically pull your show from other directories like Apple Podcasts so you’ll sometimes see your show in places you didn’t submit to (which is a good thing…the more the merrier).
I’d advise submitting to as many directories as you can (here’s an exhaustive list care of Podnews) but at the very least you need your show to be in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify.
These are the three major listening apps and having your show in all three means it’ll be available on iPhone AND Android (which is essential).
What about SoundCloud?
You can upload episodes to SoundCloud but I find they don’t get a huge amount of listens because most podcast listeners consume content in podcast apps.
The platform is also not set up as a podcast host so there are better options out there for hosting your show.
Where I think SoundCloud is really useful is for sharing show promos.
For my interview series, You’ve Gotta Start Somewhere, I would cut up a bunch of short snippets from each show and share them on social media.
This way people can get a taste of the content which hopefully entices them to listen to the full podcast and follow or subscribe.
Remember…
Submitting to podcast directories is something you only need to do once when you release the very first piece of audio which is often your show trailer.
Once a directory has registered your podcast and knows it exists, each new episode after that will update automatically.
Got a burning podcasting question you’d like answered? Send me an email.
Want to start your own podcast but need a little help? Download my “How To Start A Podcast” guide or sign up for my online podcasting course, PodSchool.
